How old does my kitten look to you? How can I get rid of its problems?

Question

I was given a kitten last night while walking home. It seems pretty healthy to me. He eats regular cat food just fine and he already uses the litter box and he doesn't act like he was from any kind of abusive situation so he is very happy and playful and very comfortable in his surroundings. Here is a picture of him that I took today:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Fionnuala07/Phoenix/photo#5235578327055528434

How old does he look to you? Beside him is my tracker ball mouse so I could compare his size to something. He fits in both my hands together completely. He also has mild ear mites and I was wondering how old would he have to be to safely give him ear mite medicine? He also has really bad fleas, how old would he have to be to safely give him a flea treatment? When should be his first visit to the vet to get a proper check over and needed shots? Thanks so much for any information!

Answer 1

4-6 weeks, 7-8 max.  SO CUTE!  Too young to medicate on your own.  You night try to find some coconut shampoo with actual coconut extracts in it, and you can safely bathe him in it for help with the fleas.  

But really, take him to the vet for a check up.  They may have something gentle for the mites.

Answer 2

I'm no expert, but I'm guessing he's about a month old.  I don't trust any of these otc remedies and would go ahead and take him to the vet.  He'll need to go ahead and get his distemper shot and maybe others and while you're there the vet can check his ears too.

Answer 3

OMG!! He is identical to my little ginger - although my ginger is now 4 months and can't fit inside my hands any more although he can easily sit in them. He looks about 3 months old max if he can fit in your hand (sorry, I missed that bit in the reading which is why I'm editing now!). Basically, he looks like something between a kitten (kittenish face) but with a more adult body (like a mini-me cat).

He may have had his first set of injections but likely (if UK) not been neutered yet. I'd take him to the vet - I don't know if there's a way to tell if they've had their injections but a vet could tell you. Typically, cats should have their first injections (in 2 sets) by about 12 weeks but it doesn't matter - the important thing is he gets them, especially before he catches something from another cat.

My cat had ear mites too - apparently over 50% of kittens do (dark drown residue and smelly ears?). You can get it treated by stronghold/frontline, again available from the vet. I;d also ask for ear drops since the mites probably will irritate him. The ear mite treatment will also deal with other bugs, like fleas.

Gosh!  He's so cute!  Just sort out these things and you'll have a ball together!

All the best1

Answer 4

10 weeks maybe but i am no expert he is cute just check with the vet to be safe about the medicine you could give him a bath with flea shampoo

Answer 5

The best way to tell is to look as his teeth, but from ur photo, he looks young, my bet under a year

Answer 6

HE IS SO CUTE , lol sorry i have a weak spot for orange and white striped kittens , he looks about hmm , 10 or 11 weeks old ,  and yes i think you should go take him to the vet , better safe then sorry ,

Answer 7

He looks to be about 6-8 weeks old...the earmites you can clean out his ears with qtips with hydrogen peroxide dont use any over the counter medication for earmites ( i had a kitten go into seizures from over the counter earmite meds.) you can ask a vet for Revolution which will take care of the fleas as well as the earmites and it can be used on kittens as young as 5 weeks...in the meantime you MUST try to bathe him and get the fleas off of him or they will invade your home and the bed he is lying on and please keep him as an indoor cat so he doesnt get killed outside...the Revolution for his age should be under $10 and you will almost instantly see results but you will still need to bathe him and clean his ears before applying the Revolution

Answer 8

aww, so cute

I'd guess around 8 weeks but I agree that the teeth are the best way to tell.  Get him to the vet asap to get a better estimate and get him started on all the treatment he needs.  I'm sure he's old enough for a checkup, blood test, and deworming and if he is 8 weeks old then he can get started on vaccinations too.

Then ask the vet about the ear mites.  There are various ways to treat them.  I use Revolution to treat fleas and ear mites, it's ok for kitties 8 weeks old and older.  You can only get it from the vet.  No matter what you use make sure to get it from the vet, lots of over the counter stuff is dangerous.

Good luck with him!  He's very cute.  

Answer 9

He looks to be about 6 weeks old. Not sure about the ear mites but you can give the cat a bath with dawn dishwashing detergent. I gave my kitten a bath in it and the fleas were falling off and were dead. Just be sure to not to put the soap in its face and use a flea comb or fingers to pick off any remaining. Good Luck!

Answer 10

It looks about10 or 12 weeks. It's old enough for ear mite medicine. It's also old enough for Advantage flea killer. The cat has to be at least 8 weeks old. And it is old enough for a check up at the vet's.

Answer 11

aww I love orange tabby cats ..Take him to the vet and the vet can give u a guesstimate on how old he is and can answer the rest of ur questions.